Widmer Brothers Brewing Goes Retro For Its 40th Anniversary Celebration
Over forty years ago, Kurt and Rob Widmer founded their namesake brewery, Widmer Brothers Brewing, in Northwest Portland. The first beer that the brothers brewed was Altbier and now the brewery is set to release many of these classic beers to beer fans of Portland over the coming year as part of the brewery’s 40 Years of Cheers campaign.
To celebrate this historic time that took place some forty plus years ago, Widmer Brothers Brewing will be opening up its beer vault. About every three months the brewery that is now part of Tilray Brands will release another classic beer from Widmer Brothers Brewing. The brewery’s 40 Years of Cheers will see the re-release of four iconic Widmer beers, known collectively as the “Beers Through the Years,” will roll out in succession throughout the year, pouring exclusively on draft at select Portland area pubs, bars and restaurants.
Widmer Brothers’ 40 Years of Cheers has kicked off with Altbier, the first beer brewed and sold by the brothers in 1984. Altbier combined Rob and Kurt Widmer’s love of beer and affinity for homebrewing; the original batches were brewed with a mismatched variety of reclaimed equipment—a retired dairy tank, shrimp cooker and a 1970 Datsun pickup “borrowed” from their dad—in what is now known as Portland’s Pearl District.
Altbier is a traditional German-style ale known for its amber hue, assertive bitterness and clean, roasted finish. Rob and Kurt’s Altbier built the foundation of a legacy that would eventually launch Widmer Brothers into the zeitgeist of American craft beer.
The Beers Through the Years will be available in limited, small-batch quantities at the following locations with availability expected to expand as the campaign develops over the coming months.
- Nob Hill Bar & Grill
- Dublin Pub
- Spirit of ‘77
- Jolly Roger West
- Tom’s Bar
- John’s Market – Multnomah & Powell
Details on the next rerelease, a fan-favorite summer seasonal from the 2000s, will be announced in the coming weeks. Make sure to follow @widmerbrothers on Instagram to follow along!
About The Author
DJ
D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 25 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in the archives of Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter and Instagram at @hopapalooza.